PSA 220 (Revised)
Auditing Standards and Practices Council
Philippine Standard on Auditing 220 (Revised)
QUALITY CONTROL FOR AUDITS
OF HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Conforming Amendments
Glossary of Terms
PSA 620, Using the Work of an Expert
PAPS 1012, Auditing Derivative Financial Instruments
PSA 220 (Revised)
PHILIPPINE STANDARD ON AUDITING 220 (REVISED)
QUALITY CONTROL FOR AUDITS OF HISTORICAL
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(Effective for audits of historical financial information for periods
beginning on or after June 15, 2006)*
CONTENTS
Paragraphs
Introduction …………………………………………………………….
1-4
Definitions ……………………………………………………………...
5
Leadership Responsibilities for Quality on Audits …………………….
7
Ethical Requirements …………………………………………………..
8-13
Acceptance and Continuance of Client Relationships and Specific
Audit Engagements …………………………………………………...
14-18
Assignment of Engagement Teams …………………………………….
19-20
Engagement Performance ………………………………………………
21-40
Monitoring ……………………………………………………………...
41-42
Effective Date …………………………………………………………..
43-44
Acknowledgment ………………………………………………………
45-46
Philippine Standard on Auditing (PSA) 220 (Revised), “Quality Control for Audits of
Historical Financial Information” should be read in the context of the “Preface to the
Philippine Standards on Quality Control, Auditing, Other Assurance and Related
Services,” which sets out the application and authority of PSAs.
*
This PSA and PSQC 1, “Quality Control for Firms that Perform Audits and Reviews of Historical
Financial Information, and Other Assurance and Related Services Engagements” gave rise to amendments
to the Glossary of Terms, PSA 620, “Using the Work of an Expert,” and PAPS 1012, “Auditing Derivative
Financial Information.” These amendments are attached to this PSA.
PSA 220, “Quality Control for Audit Work,” approved by the Auditing Standards and Practices Council in
2001 will be withdrawn in June 2006 when PSA 220 (Revised) becomes effective.
-2-
PSA 220 (Revised)
Quality Control for Audits of Historical Financial Information
Introduction
1.
The purpose of this Philippine Standard on Auditing (PSA) is to establish
standards and provide guidance on specific responsibilities of firm personnel
regarding quality control procedures for audits of historical financial information,
including audits of financial statements. This PSA is to be read in conjunction
with Parts A and B of the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants in the
Philippines (the Philippine Code).
2.
The engagement team should implement quality control procedures that are
applicable to the individual audit engagement.
3.
Under Philippine Standard on Quality Control (PSQC) 1, “Quality Control for
Firms that Perform Audits and Reviews of Historical Financial Information, and
Other Assurance and Related Services Engagements,” a firm has an obligation to
establish a system of quality control designed to provide it with reasonable
assurance that the firm and its personnel comply with professional standards and
regulatory and legal requirements, and that the auditors’ reports issued by the firm
or engagement partners are appropriate in the circumstances.
4.
Engagement teams:
(a)
Implement quality control procedures that are applicable to the audit
engagement;
(b)
Provide the firm with relevant information to enable the functioning of
that part of the firm’s system of quality control relating to independence;
and
(c)
Are entitled to rely on the firm’s systems (for example in relation to
capabilities and competence of personnel through their recruitment and
formal training; independence through the accumulation and
communication of relevant independence information; maintenance of
client relationships through acceptance and continuance systems; and
adherence to regulatory and legal requirements through the monitoring
process), unless information provided by the firm or other parties suggests
otherwise.
-3-
PSA 220 (Revised)
Definitions
5.
*
In this PSA, the following terms have the meanings attributed below:
(a)
“Engagement partner” – the partner or other person in the firm who is
responsible for the audit engagement and its performance, and for the
auditor’s report that is issued on behalf of the firm, and who, where
required, has the appropriate authority from a professional, legal or
regulatory body;
(b)
“Engagement quality control review” – a process designed to provide an
objective evaluation, before the auditor’s report is issued, of the significant
judgments the engagement team made and the conclusions they reached in
formulating the auditor’s report;
(c)
“Engagement quality control reviewer” – a partner, other person in the
firm, suitably qualified external person, or a team made up of such
individuals, with sufficient and appropriate experience and authority to
objectively evaluate, before the auditor’s report is issued, the significant
judgments the engagement team made and the conclusions they reached in
formulating the auditor’s report;
(d)
“Engagement team” – all personnel performing an audit engagement,
including any experts contracted by the firm in connection with that audit
engagement;
(e)
“Firm” – a sole practitioner, or partnership, or other entity of professional
accountants;
(f)
“Inspection” – in relation to completed audit engagements, procedures
designed to provide evidence of compliance by engagement teams with
the firm’s quality control policies and procedures;
(g)
“Listed entity”*. – an entity whose shares, stock or debt are quoted or
listed on a recognized stock exchange, or are marketed under the
regulations of a recognized stock exchange or other equivalent body;
(h)
“Monitoring” – a process comprising an ongoing consideration and
evaluation of the firm’s system of quality control, including a periodic
inspection of a selection of completed engagements, designed to enable
the firm to obtain reasonable assurance that its system of quality control is
operating effectively;
As defined in the Philippine Code published in January 2004.
-4-
PSA 220 (Revised)
(i)
“Network firm”*. – an entity under common control, ownership or
management with the firm or any entity that a reasonable and informed
third party having knowledge of all relevant information would reasonably
conclude as being part of the firm nationally or internationally;
(j)
“Partner” – any individual with authority to bind the firm with respect to
the performance of a professional services engagement;
(k)
“Personnel” – partners and staff;
(l)
“Professional standards” – ASPC Engagement Standards, as defined in the
ASPC’s “Preface to the Philippine Standards on Quality Control,
Auditing, Assurance and Related Services,” and relevant ethical
requirements, which ordinarily comprise Parts A and B of the Philippine
Code;
(m)
“Reasonable assurance” – in the context of this PSA, a high, but not
absolute, level of assurance;
(n)
“Staff” – professionals, other than partners, including any experts the firm
employs; and
(o)
“Suitably qualified external person” – an individual outside the firm with
the capabilities and competence to act as an engagement partner, for
example a partner of another firm, or an employee (with appropriate
experience) of either a professional accountancy body whose members
may perform audits of historical financial information or of an
organization that provides relevant quality control services.
Leadership Responsibilities for Quality on Audits
6.
The engagement partner should take responsibility for the overall quality on
each audit engagement to which that partner is assigned.
7.
The engagement partner sets an example regarding audit quality to the other
members of the engagement team through all stages of the audit engagement.
Ordinarily, this example is provided through the actions of the engagement
partner and through appropriate messages to the engagement team. Such actions
and messages emphasize:
(a)
The importance of:
(i)
Performing work that complies with professional standards and
regulatory and legal requirements;
-5-
(ii)
PSA 220 (Revised)
Complying with the firm’s quality control policies and procedures as
applicable; and
(iii) Issuing auditor’s reports that are appropriate in the circumstances;
and
(b)
The fact that quality is essential in performing audit engagements.
Ethical Requirements
8.
The engagement partner should consider whether members of the
engagement team have complied with ethical requirements.
9.
Ethical requirements relating to audit engagements comprise Parts A and B of the
Philippine Code. The Philippine Code establishes the fundamental principles of
professional ethics, which include:
(a)
Integrity;
(b)
Objectivity;
(c)
Professional competence and due care;
(d)
Confidentiality; and
(e)
Professional behavior.
10.
The engagement partner remains alert for evidence of non-compliance with
ethical requirements. Inquiry and observation regarding ethical matters amongst
the engagement partner and other members of the engagement team occur as
necessary throughout the audit engagement. If matters come to the engagement
partner’s attention through the firm’s systems or otherwise that indicate that
members of the engagement team have not complied with ethical requirements,
the partner, in consultation with others in the firm, determines the appropriate
action.
11.
The engagement partner and, where appropriate, other members of the
engagement team, document issues identified and how they were resolved.
Independence
12.
The engagement partner should form a conclusion on compliance with
independence requirements that apply to the audit engagement. In doing so,
the engagement partner should:
-6-
13.
PSA 220 (Revised)
(a)
Obtain relevant information from the firm and, where applicable,
network firms, to identify and evaluate circumstances and
relationships that create threats to independence;
(b)
Evaluate information on identified breaches, if any, of the firm’s
independence policies and procedures to determine whether they
create a threat to independence for the audit engagement;
(c)
Take appropriate action to eliminate such threats or reduce them to
an acceptable level by applying safeguards. The engagement partner
should promptly report to the firm any failure to resolve the matter
for appropriate action; and
(d)
Document conclusions on independence and any relevant discussions
with the firm that support these conclusions.
The engagement partner may identify a threat to independence regarding the audit
engagement that safeguards may not be able to eliminate or reduce to an
acceptable level. In that case, the engagement partner consults within the firm to
determine appropriate action, which may include eliminating the activity or
interest that creates the threat, or withdrawing from the audit engagement. Such
discussion and conclusions are documented.
Acceptance and Continuance of Client Relationships and Specific Audit
Engagements
14.
The engagement partner should be satisfied that appropriate procedures
regarding the acceptance and continuance of client relationships and specific
audit engagements have been followed, and that conclusions reached in this
regard are appropriate and have been documented.
15.
The engagement partner may or may not initiate the decision-making process for
acceptance or continuance regarding the audit engagement. Regardless of
whether the engagement partner initiated that process, the partner determines
whether the most recent decision remains appropriate.
16.
Acceptance and continuance of client relationships and specific audit
engagements include considering:
•
The integrity of the principal owners, key management and those charged
with governance of the entity;
•
Whether the engagement team is competent to perform the audit
engagement and has the necessary time and resources; and
-7-
•
PSA 220 (Revised)
Whether the firm and the engagement team can comply with ethical
requirements.
Where issues arise out of any of these considerations, the engagement team
conducts the appropriate consultations set out in paragraphs 30-33, and
documents how issues were resolved.
17.
Deciding whether to continue a client relationship includes consideration of
significant matters that have arisen during the current or previous audit
engagement, and their implications for continuing the relationship. For example,
a client may have started to expand its business operations into an area where the
firm does not possess the necessary knowledge or expertise.
18.
Where the engagement partner obtains information that would have caused
the firm to decline the audit engagement if that information had been
available earlier, the engagement partner should communicate that
information promptly to the firm, so that the firm and the engagement
partner can take the necessary action.
Assignment of Engagement Teams
19.
The engagement partner should be satisfied that the engagement team
collectively has the appropriate capabilities, competence and time to perform
the audit engagement in accordance with professional standards and
regulatory and legal requirements, and to enable an auditor’s report that is
appropriate in the circumstances to be issued.
20.
The appropriate capabilities and competence expected of the engagement team as
a whole include the following:
•
An understanding of, and practical experience with, audit engagements of a
similar nature and complexity through appropriate training and participation.
•
An understanding of professional standards and regulatory and legal
requirements.
•
Appropriate technical knowledge, including knowledge of relevant
information technology.
•
Knowledge of relevant industries in which the client operates.
•
Ability to apply professional judgment.
•
An understanding of the firm’s quality control policies and procedures.
-8-
PSA 220 (Revised)
Engagement Performance
21.
The engagement partner should take responsibility for the direction,
supervision and performance of the audit engagement in compliance with
professional standards and regulatory and legal requirements, and for the
auditor’s report that is issued to be appropriate in the circumstances.
22.
The engagement partner directs the audit engagement by informing the members
of the engagement team of:
(a)
Their responsibilities;
(b)
The nature of the entity’s business;
(c)
Risk-related issues;
(d)
Problems that may arise; and
(e)
The detailed approach to the performance of the engagement.
The engagement team’s responsibilities include maintaining an objective state of
mind and an appropriate level of professional skepticism, and performing the
work delegated to them in accordance with the ethical principle of due care.
Members of the engagement team are encouraged to raise questions with more
experienced team members. Appropriate communication occurs within the
engagement team.
23.
It is important that all members of the engagement team understand the objectives
of the work they are to perform. Appropriate team-working and training are
necessary to assist less experienced members of the engagement team to clearly
understand the objectives of the assigned work.
24.
Supervision includes the following:
•
Tracking the progress of the audit engagement.
•
Considering the capabilities and competence of individual members of the
engagement team, whether they have sufficient time to carry out their
work, whether they understand their instructions, and whether the work is
being carried out in accordance with the planned approach to the audit
engagement.
-9-
25.
PSA 220 (Revised)
•
Addressing significant issues arising during the audit engagement,
considering their significance and modifying the planned approach
appropriately.
•
Identifying matters for consultation or consideration by more experienced
engagement team members during the audit engagement.
Review responsibilities are determined on the basis that more experienced team
members, including the engagement partner, review work performed by less
experienced team members. Reviewers consider whether:
(a)
The work has been performed in accordance with professional standards
and regulatory and legal requirements;
(b)
Significant matters have been raised for further consideration;
(c)
Appropriate consultations have taken place and the resulting conclusions
have been documented and implemented;
(d)
There is a need to revise the nature, timing and extent of work performed;
(e)
The work performed supports the conclusions reached and is appropriately
documented;
(f)
The evidence obtained is sufficient and appropriate to support the
auditor’s report; and
(g)
The objectives of the engagement procedures have been achieved.
26.
Before the auditor’s report is issued, the engagement partner, through
review of the audit documentation and discussion with the engagement team,
should be satisfied that sufficient appropriate audit evidence has been
obtained to support the conclusions reached and for the auditor’s report to
be issued.
27.
The engagement partner conducts timely reviews at appropriate stages during the
engagement. This allows significant matters to be resolved on a timely basis to
the engagement partner’s satisfaction before the auditor’s report is issued. The
reviews cover critical areas of judgment, especially those relating to difficult or
contentious matters identified during the course of the engagement, significant
risks, and other areas the engagement partner considers important. The
engagement partner need not review all audit documentation. However, the
partner documents the extent and timing of the reviews. Issues arising from the
reviews are resolved to the satisfaction of the engagement partner.
- 10 -
PSA 220 (Revised)
28.
A new engagement partner taking over an audit during the engagement reviews
the work performed to the date of the change. The review procedures are
sufficient to satisfy the new engagement partner that the work performed to the
date of the review has been planned and performed in accordance with
professional standards and regulatory and legal requirements.
29.
Where more than one partner is involved in the conduct of an audit engagement, it
is important that the responsibilities of the respective partners are clearly defined
and understood by the engagement team.
Consultation
30.
The engagement partner should:
(a)
Be responsible for the engagement team undertaking appropriate
consultation on difficult or contentious matters;
(b)
Be satisfied that members of the engagement team have undertaken
appropriate consultation during the course of the engagement, both
within the engagement team and between the engagement team and
others at the appropriate level within or outside the firm;
(c)
Be satisfied that the nature and scope of, and conclusions resulting
from, such consultations are documented and agreed with the party
consulted; and
(d)
Determine that conclusions resulting from consultations have been
implemented.
31.
Effective consultation with other professionals requires that those consulted be
given all the relevant facts that will enable them to provide informed advice on
technical, ethical or other matters. Where appropriate, the engagement team
consults individuals with appropriate knowledge, seniority and experience within
the firm or, where applicable, outside the firm. Conclusions resulting from
consultations are appropriately documented and implemented.
32.
It may be appropriate for the engagement team to consult outside the firm, for
example, where the firm lacks appropriate internal resources. They may take
advantage of advisory services provided by other firms, professional and
regulatory bodies, or commercial organizations that provide relevant quality
control services.
- 11 -
33.
PSA 220 (Revised)
The documentation of consultations with other professionals that involve difficult
or contentious matters is agreed by both the individual seeking consultation and
the individual consulted. The documentation is sufficiently complete and detailed
to enable an understanding of:
(a)
The issue on which consultation was sought; and
(b)
The results of the consultation, including any decisions taken, the basis for
those decisions and how they were implemented.
Differences of Opinion
34.
Where differences of opinion arise within the engagement team, with those
consulted and, where applicable, between the engagement partner and the
engagement quality control reviewer, the engagement team should follow the
firm’s policies and procedures for dealing with and resolving differences of
opinion.
35.
As necessary, the engagement partner informs members of the engagement team
that they may bring matters involving differences of opinion to the attention of the
engagement partner or others within the firm as appropriate without fear of
reprisals.
Engagement Quality Control Review
36.
For audits of financial statements of listed entities, the engagement partner
should:
(a)
Determine that an engagement quality control reviewer has been
appointed;
(b)
Discuss significant matters arising during the audit engagement,
including those identified during the engagement quality control
review, with the engagement quality control reviewer; and
(c)
Not issue the auditor’s report until the completion of the engagement
quality control review.
For other audit engagements where an engagement quality control review is
performed, the engagement partner follows the requirements set out in
subparagraphs (a) to (c).
- 12 -
PSA 220 (Revised)
37.
Where, at the start of the engagement, an engagement quality control review is
not considered necessary, the engagement partner is alert for changes in
circumstances that would require such a review.
38.
An engagement quality control review should include an objective evaluation
of:
(a)
The significant judgments made by the engagement team; and
(b)
The conclusions reached in formulating the auditor’s report.
39.
An engagement quality control review ordinarily involves discussion with the
engagement partner, a review of the financial information and the auditor’s report,
and, in particular, consideration of whether the auditor’s report is appropriate. It
also involves a review of selected audit documentation relating to the significant
judgments the engagement team made and the conclusions they reached. The
extent of the review depends on the complexity of the audit engagement and the
risk that the auditor’s report might not be appropriate in the circumstances. The
review does not reduce the responsibilities of the engagement partner.
40
An engagement quality control review for audits of financial statements of listed
entities includes considering the following:
•
The engagement team’s evaluation of the firm’s independence in relation
to the specific audit engagement.
•
Significant risks identified during the engagement (in accordance with
PSA 315, “Understanding the Entity and its Environment and Assessing
the Risks of Material Misstatement”), and the responses to those risks (in
accordance with PSA 325, “Auditor’s Procedures in Response to Assessed
Risks”), including the engagement team’s assessment of, and response to,
the risk of fraud.
•
Judgments made, particularly with respect to materiality and significant
risks.
•
Whether appropriate consultation has taken place on matters involving
differences of opinion or other difficult or contentious matters, and the
conclusions arising from those consultations.
•
The significance and disposition of corrected and uncorrected
misstatements identified during the audit.
- 13 -
PSA 220 (Revised)
•
The matters to be communicated to management and those charged with
governance and, where applicable, other parties such as regulatory bodies.
•
Whether audit documentation selected for review reflects the work
performed in relation to the significant judgments and supports the
conclusions reached.
•
The appropriateness of the auditor’s report to be issued.
Engagement quality control reviews for audits of historical financial information
other than audits of financial statements of listed entities may, depending
on the circumstances, include some or all of these considerations.
Monitoring
41.
42.
PSQC 1 requires the firm to establish policies and procedures designed to provide
it with reasonable assurance that the policies and procedures relating to the system
of quality control are relevant, adequate, operating effectively and complied with
in practice. The engagement partner considers the results of the monitoring
process as evidenced in the latest information circulated by the firm and, if
applicable, other network firms. The engagement partner considers:
(a)
Whether deficiencies noted in that information may affect the audit
engagement; and
(b)
Whether the measures the firm took to rectify the situation are sufficient in
the context of that audit.
A deficiency in the firm’s system of quality control does not indicate that a
particular audit engagement was not performed in accordance with professional
standards and regulatory and legal requirements, or that the auditor’s report was
not appropriate.
Effective Date
43.
This PSA 220 (Revised) is effective for audits of historical financial information
for periods commencing on or after June 15, 2006.
44.
PSA 220, “Quality Control for Audit Work,” approved by the Auditing Standards
and Practices Council in 2001 will be withdrawn in June 2006 when PSA 220
(Revised) becomes effective.
- 14 -
PSA 220 (Revised)
Acknowledgment
45.
This PSA is based on International Standard on Auditing (ISA) 220 (Revised),
“Quality Control for Audits of Historical Financial Information,” issued by the
International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board.
46.
There are no significant differences between this PSA and ISA 220 (Revised)
except for the deletion of paragraphs 2 and 4 under Public Sector Perspective.
Public Sector Perspective
1.
Some of the terms in the PSA, such as “engagement partner” and “firm,” should
be read as referring to their public sector equivalents. However with limited
exceptions, there is no public sector equivalent of “listed entities,” although there
may be audits of particularly significant public sector entities which should be
subject to the listed entity requirements of mandatory rotation of the engagement
partner (or equivalent) and engagement quality control review. There are no
fixed objective criteria on which this determination of significance should be
based. However, such an assessment should encompass an evaluation of all
factors relevant to the audited entity. Such factors include size, complexity,
commercial risk, parliamentary or media interest and the number and range of
stakeholders affected.
2.
[This paragraph does not apply in the Philippines and is therefore not used.]
3.
In the public sector, auditors are appointed in accordance with statutory
procedures. Accordingly, certain of the considerations regarding the acceptance
and continuance of client relationships and specific engagements, as set out in
paragraphs 16-17 of this PSA, may not be relevant.
Deleted: However, in many
jurisdictions there is a single statutorily
appointed auditor-general who acts in a
role equivalent to that of “engagement
partner” and who has overall
responsibility for public sector audits. In
such circumstances, where applicable,
the engagement reviewer should be
selected having regard to the need for
independence and objectivity.
- 15 -
PSA 220 (Revised)
4.
[This paragraph does not apply in the Philippines and is therefore not used.]
5.
Paragraph 20 sets out capabilities and competence expected of the engagement
team. Additional capabilities may be required in public sector audits, dependent
upon the terms of the mandate in a particular jurisdiction. Such additional
capabilities may include an understanding of the applicable reporting
arrangements, including reporting to a representative body, for example, the
President, Congress or in the public interest. The wider scope of a public sector
audit may include, for example, some aspects of performance auditing or a
comprehensive assessment of the arrangements for ensuring legality and
preventing and detecting fraud and corruption.
Deleted: Similarly, the independence of
public sector auditors may be protected
by statutory measures. However, public
sector auditors or audit firms carrying
out public sector audits on behalf of the
statutory auditor may, depending on the
terms of the mandate in a particular
jurisdiction, need to adapt their approach
in order to ensure compliance with the
spirit of paragraphs 12 and 13. This may
include, where the public sector auditor’s
mandate does not permit withdrawal from
the engagement, disclosure through a
public report, of circumstances that have
arisen that would, if they were in the
private sector, lead the auditor to
withdraw.
- 16 -
PSA 220 (Revised)
This PSA 220 (Revised) was unanimously approved for adoption in the Philippines on
February 21, 2005 by the members of the Auditing Standards and Practices Council:
Benjamin R. Punongbayan, Chairman
Antonio P. Acyatan, Vice Chairman
Felicidad A. Abad
David L. Balangue
Eliseo A. Fernandez
Nestorio C. Roraldo
Joaquin P. Tolentino
Editha O. Tuason
Joycelyn J. Villaflores
Horace F. Dumlao
Ester F. Ledesma
Manuel O. Faustino
Erwin Vincent G. Alcala
Froilan G. Ampil
Eugene T. Mateo
Flerida V. Creencia
Roberto G. Manabat
- 17 -
PSA 220 (Revised)
Amendments to the Glossary of Terms, PSA 620 and PAPS 1012 as
a Result of PSQC 1 and PSA 220 (Revised)
Effective Dates
Systems of quality control in compliance with Philippine Standard on Quality Control
(PSQC) 1, “Quality Control for Firms that Perform Audits and Reviews of Historical
Financial Information, and Other Assurance and Related Services Engagements” are
required to be established by June 15, 2006.
Philippine Standard on Auditing (PSA) 220 (Revised), “Quality Control for Audits of
Historical Financial Information” is effective for audits of historical financial information
for periods commencing on or after June 15, 2006.
Glossary of Terms
Quality controls—As set out in PSQC 1, “Quality Control for Firms that Perform Audits
and Reviews of Historical Financial Information, and Other Assurance and Related
Services Engagements,” tThe policies and procedures adopted by a firm designed to
provide it with reasonable assurance that all audits done by the firm and its personnel
comply with professional standards and regulatory and legal requirements, and that
reports issued by the firm or engagement partners are appropriate in the circumstances
are being carried out in accordance with the Objective and General Principles Governing
an Audit of Financial Statements, as set out in International Standard on Auditing 220
“Quality Control for Audit Work.”
PSA 620, “Using the Work of an Expert”
5. An expert may be:
(a) Contracted Engaged by the entity;
(b) Contracted Engaged by the auditor;
(c) Employed by the entity; or
(d) Employed by the auditor.
When the auditor uses the work of an expert employed by the audit firm, the auditor
will be able to rely on the firm’s systems for recruitment and training that determine
that expert’s capabilities and competence, as explained in PSA 220 (Revised),
“Quality Control for Audits of Historical Financial Information” instead of needing to
evaluate them for each audit engagement auditor, that work is used in the employee’s
capacity as an expert rather than as an assistant on the audit as contemplated in PSA
220, “Quality Control for Audit Work.” Accordingly, in such circumstances the
- 18 -
PSA 220 (Revised)
auditor will need to apply relevant procedures to the employee’s work and findings
but will not ordinarily need to assess for each engagement the employee’s skills and
competence.
PAPS 1012, “Auditing Derivative Financial Instruments”
15. Members of the engagement team may have the necessary skill and knowledge to
plan and perform auditing procedures related to derivatives transactions.
Alternatively, the auditor may decide to seek the assistance of an expert outside the
firm, with the necessary skills or knowledge to plan and perform the auditing
procedures, especially when the derivatives are very complex, or when simple
derivatives are used in complex situations, the entity is engaged in active trading of
derivatives, or the valuation of the derivatives are based on complex pricing models.
PSA 220 (Revised), “Quality Control for Audits Work of Historical Financial
Information,” provides guidance on the supervision of individuals who serve as
members of the engagement team and assist the auditor in planning and performing
auditing procedures. PSA 620, “Using the Work of an Expert,” provides guidance on
the use of an expert’s work as audit evidence.